Jun 28, 2023

UCI Enduro World Cup: Nukeproof-SRAM Factory Racing's 2023 Season

A Nukeproof-SRAM Factory Racing rider whips on a Mega race bike.

Round 1: Maydena Bike Park, Tasmania

After a long off season, the newly-christened UCI Enduro World Cup started with a bang. Formerly called the Enduro World Series, the Enduro World Cup (or EDR for short) is much the same but with a few small changes. Among them are additional stage points on offer and a schedule change pushing all racing to Sunday, changes that proved to have a big impact on the final results at round one in Maydena, Tasmania.

The Nukeproof-SRAM Factory Racing team remains largely unchanged in 2023, with Elliott Heap, Dan Booker, Kelan Grant and Corey Watson on the roster.

Maydena local Dan Booker had the race of his life on home turf, holding his nerve to finish on the podium in 2nd place — just five seconds behind Aussie Luke Meyer-Smith after six stages of racing. The atmostphere was totally electric as the wild crowd rooted for their local Dan.

Elliott Heap got the weekend off to a flyer with a 4th in stage two, only to suffer a mechanical and an injury later in the day. We wish Elliott a speedy recovery and know he'll come back swinging.

Corey Watson, the youngest recruit to the Nukeproof-SRAM Factory Racing team, put down impressive times throughout the day despite a small crash leaving him in 21st overall. Kelan Grant started his season off in great form off the back of a tricky 2022, putting consistent times in throughout the day to finish 35th overall.

You can check out the video highlights here and also get a closer look at the team's custom painted Nukeproof Mega 297c. The Nukeproof-SRAM Factory Racing team are staying in the Southern Hemisphere this weekend with the next EDR in Derby, Tasmania on March 31 through April 1.

Round 2: Derby, Tasmania

A small former tin mining outpost tuned mountian bike mecca, Derby, Tasmania, was the second stop on the UCI Enduro World Cup circuit, topping off the first block of racing in the Southern Hemisphere for the Nukeproof SRAM Factory Racing team.

What Maydena provided in burly DH flat out stages, Derby matched with extremely technical physical tracks. With big features, big liasons and no short supply of pedalling, Derby was a true Enduro test for the riders, requiring not only technical skills but pure horsepower for the longer, flatter sections of trail.

Seven hours of practice in unrelenting rain on Thursday did its best to dampen spirits, but the team came out swinging on Saturday, encouraged no doubt by the sensational Tasmanian crowds. Think DJ’s set up at key sections of the track, the usual cacophony of chainsaws and hub percussion, with huge numbers of fan littering the tracks. For such a remote part of Tasmania, its incredible to see the passion and love they show mountain biking.

Dan Booker rode to an electric crowd once again, cementing himself as a true fan favorite. Shouting "BOOKER, BOOKER" before Dan even came into view surely pushed the Tasmanian local to dig deep on these hugely physical tracks. Dan showcased his ability to put the power down when needed and topped off the day an incredible 8^th spot. This puts Dan 2^nd overall in the Enduro World Cup series, an unbelievable effort.

Kelan Grant put down another heater of a race, loving the tracks here and showing the true power he has. He finished in the top-30 and secured his position in the top-30 overall, providing the perfect launchpad to take on the European rounds.

Scotland’s fastest window cleaner, Corey Watson, finished with a top-50 spot in Derby. The young Scottish talent definitely excels on the more gravity fed tracks, but he showed power and strength on Derby's pedally stages. Overall Corey sits in 35^th going into the next round in Italy.

Unfortunately, Elliott Heap had to sit out this week after injuring his shoulder on the final stage last week in Maydena, which was a huge blow for Elliott and the team. Elliott has put in a huge amount of work this winter and the tracks here in Derby would have suited him, we are looking forward to him coming back stronger in June.

Check out the highlights here.

The Team will be heading to Round 3 of the UCI Enduro World Cup in Finale Ligure, Italy on June 3 - 4.

Round 3: Pietra Ligure, Italy

After a two month break from racing, the Nukeproof Sram Factory racing team were back between the tape for the next block of UCI Enduro World Cup racing, this time in the beautiful Ligurian coastal town of Pietra Ligure, Italy.

The race course offered a brutal day of riding, with 6 stages and over 6,500 feet of climbing paired with nearly 10,000 feet of descending on the unrelenting rocky terrain of Pietra, a true enduro test.

An unfortunate injury at Round 1 (Maydena), meant Elliott Heap had to sit out of Round 2 (Derby). With some solid recovery time, Heap was able to rejoin his teammates Kelan Grant, Corey Watson and Dan Booker in Pietra. All four riders have made the choice to ride Mega's this season with them all running the all new Horizon Pro Wheels.

Thursday's practice provided some changing conditions with a thunderstorm and some rain to break up the intense heat, leaving the tracks slick but equally blown out. Friday's rest day was a welcome relief for all the athletes.

Dan went into the race in 2nd overall after some incredible results in his homeland of Tasmania. In stark contrast to Tasmania, Pietra's tracks are tight and pedally with Stage 1 alone providing nearly 10 minutes of race time. Dan struggled to find pace on this stage which set him back 30 seconds going into the next stages. Digging deep, Dan produced some incredible stage times, with two top-tens, finishing the day in 23rd and picking up valuable points for the overall.

Elliott went into Round 3 with natural apprehension following his shoulder inury but proved his experience and resiliance to finish just outside the top 30 with five out of six stages in the top 30. A great first race back.

Fresh off the back of his Trans Madeira win, Kelan Grant was struggling with a niagging knee injury throuhout the race, hampering his chances but managed to push through race day finishing just outside the top-40 in a very stacked field.

Youngest recruit to the Nukeproof Sram Factory Racing team, Corey Watson was back on his Enduro bike following a 2nd in the Pump Track World Championships on his Nukeproof Solum last weekend. An early crash scuppered Corey's chances of getting amongst it in Pietra but yet another display of resiliance put on by Corey to finish the day.

A good builiding weekend of results in tricky conditions for the team in Pietra, they continue through Europe to Leogang next (15-18th June) where the EDR will run alongside the DH World Cup or the first time. Check out the Pietra highlights here.

Round 4: Leogang, Austria

This round saw the UCI Downhill and EDR (formerly EWS) and XC join forces in Leogang, Austria. Set in the breathtaking Austrian alps, this was the first location to have all three events taking place over one weekend.

This new format meant the EDR took place earlier in the week than at the other venues this season, with practice kicking off on Wednesday and racing the following day, meaning there was no rest day between as had been the new normal for the 2023 season.

Leogang is well known for its bike park (Host to the weekend's DH race), however the whole region offers riders true variety. The first stages started in the Salzburg and progressed over to the former DH track in Leogang as the day progressed. The 44 mile course covered bike park trails, rough chunky downhill tracks, and fast alpine singletrack across six stages.

Check out the course map here.

Sitting in the top-10 overall going into Leogang, Tasmanian rider Dan Booker had it all to play for. His consistency shone through with only one stage result outside the top-10 (13th), putting him in an incredible 5th place on the day and cementing his top-5 overall position in the world rankings so far.

Back from injury and with the stoke kettle firmly boiling, Elliott Heap was back on the pace he is capable of. Despite a crash in the first stage, Elliott progressed through the results as the day went on finishing in an impressive 11th.

Young gun Corey Watson will remember this race as his best ever Enduro World Cup (so far...) finishing in the top-20 and a best ever stage finish of 5th.

Irish rider Kelan Grant put down consistent times throughout the day to put himself in 30th, proving that consistency is key and really finding his strength and fitness this season.

Round 5: Val Di Fassa, Italy

The last race in an intense summer block of UCI Enduro World Cup races was upon the Nukeproof SRAM factory racing team, this time in the incredible setting of Val Di Fassa in the Trentino region of northern Italy. The dramatic mountains of Val Di Fassa have to be one of the most jaw-dropping locations on the EDR circuit. Not only do the views pack a punch, this round is well known to be one of the most physically demanding courses on the schedule and 2023 was no different.

Practice on Friday, in accordance with the new schedule, was cut short due to impending storms and practice of the last two stages was moved to Saturday, altering the normal Saturday rest day routine. However, the Nukeproof SRAM Factory racing team were fired up for a big day racing despite the slick conditions.

Unfortunately, the night prior to race day, sickness swept through the camp with Elliott Heap and Dan Booker coming off particularly badly into race day. They battled through with very little energy on some relentless tracks to post impressive results. Elliott finished the day in 18th, an incredible result. Teammate Dan Booker finished his day in 20th, retaining his position of 6th overall in the world rankings going into the mid-season break.

Following a career best finish in Leogang, Corey Watson was bringing the stoke to Val Di Fassa only to suffer a mechanical on one of the longest stages of the day, putting him well out of contention. He goes into the mid-summer break fired up to get that form back.

Another show of grit and determination came in the form of Irishman Kelan Grant, suffering a nagging knee injury throughout the season, the physicality of this race took its hold and made the injury much more significant. Kelan battled on to complete the day and gain those all important overall points.

All four riders end this first block of racing in the top-40 overall in the world standings with Dan Booker sitting in 6th overall, a seriously impressive position to be in. The team now have a break until the UCI Enduro World Cup kicks off again in Loudenvielle, France, September 1-3.

Round 6: Loudenvielle, FRANCE

Following the summer break, the Nukeproof SRAM factory racing team were back in action for the penultimate race of the season in Loudenvielle, France. The tracks here are known to be challenging, with steep technical sections, fast flat out sections and some seriously physical long stages.

The weather played havoc with the timetable, bringing the race forward to Saturday instead of the planned Friday practice and Sunday race day. However, this meant conditions were perfect on the tracks. The team were sporting their brand new custom-painted bikes and custom kit – check them out here.

Dan Booker isn't one to shy away from hard work, and during the break he's been focusing on his fitness and strength. This certainly proved to pay off, with 3 stages in the top ten. Dan sits 7th in the overall standings with one round to go. An incredible effort from the Tassie talent.

Irishman Kelan Grant knew these tracks would suit his strong aggressive style, but explained that he just couldn't find the flow on race day. Happy to lay down a clean day of racing, Kelan looks forward to the final round in Chatel.

Elliott Heap's season has been marred with injury and he was stoked to return to racing. This was short-lived, with a crash on his already damaged shoulder on the first stage putting him through a tough day on the bike. He pushed on to complete and gain some all important team points.

Corey Watson could empathise with Elliott – after suffering a knee injury on the first stage, the main aim shifted to finish the race. Corey was gutted, as he had a career-best result last year in Loudenvielle.

Despite injuries, the team are feeling stoked and ready for the final EDR World Cup in Chatel, France where the tracks are likely to suit the team very well.

Follow the live timing here.